Is it true what I have read about hornwort...I hear that it LOVES nitrates and will keep your levels very low. Also it will absorb the algae loving nutrients...so less algae in the tank?

That's what I've read on several different fish boards.

I have been told to be careful of hornwort because it has small leaves that are a pain to get out of your tank it can cause some major problems when it rots, i have been told to use java moss instead but thast has its down sides also cause it can take over the tank if you are not careful LOL

I have read that hornwort is a great plant to have but I've used it in my old 55 gallon and I thought it was a pain because of all the little tiny leave that would float around the water and eventually get stuck to the filter tube. I prefer the java fern and just try to keep it under control.

I had it in my 20 planted tank, and after it absorbed the nitrates, it started to dye becuase it didn't have any food, I just let it die becuase it was a pain with all of the tiny leaves.

How can ya tell when its dead? LOL, mine is partially green and partially brown in some spots, but they are very bushy, and yes they do seem to lose alot of the leaves,,,I thought maybe this was caused due to shipping it to me. If it continues to be "messy" like this I probly wont get them again either. I also got a small bit of java moss with I tied to a piece of slate.

I bought three java moss plants, and now I have about seven. They produce little shutes on the end of their leaves that fall off and float around until they get stuck and then theyjust start growing there.